CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH A MOTORCYCLE HIT AND RUN LAWYERS FOR FREE
Getting in a car accident, no matter how trivial the damages that arise from it, can be a frustrating experience. However, even more frustrating than a general car accident is a car accident in which the driver responsible for the accident flees from the scene of the accident. Hit and run crashes can lead to severe injuries, especially for motorcyclist victims since motorcycles offer less protection than regular automobiles.
If you or your loved one has suffered a hit and run accident while riding a motorcycle, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our experienced motorcycle hit and run lawyers.
STATISTICS ON HIT AND RUN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute in the United States. In fact, an average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes occurred each year since 2006. These crashes often cause severe injuries or even death. In 2016, more than 2,000 people died from hit-and-run crashes.
COMMON REASONS WHY DRIVERS FLEE AFTER A HIT AND RUN
There are many reasons why hit and run drivers flee leave immediately after an accident. Below are some of the most common reasons:
- They do not have insurance
- They do not have a driver’s license
- They are driving with a suspended driver’s license
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Panic
- Fear of criminal prosecution or civil liabilities
- Not of legal age to drive
COMMON INJURIES
Some of the most common hit and run injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Scrapes and cuts
- Head or brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Herniated disc
WHY HIRE A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT LAWYER?
If you are a victim of a hit-and-run, you may feel unsure of how you should proceed with a lawsuit—especially if you were unable to directly see the vehicle that hit you and your motorcycle. After all, you need to know the perpetrator in order to file a lawsuit. In these cases, an experienced car crash attorney may have the resources to help you identify the perpetrator.
In the unfortunate event you are unable to find the perpetrator, you may have to file a claim with your insurance company. This process can also be a hassle as insurance companies are generally reluctant to give out the full payment you may be entitled to. An experienced hit-and-run attorney may be able to negotiate with insurance companies much more effectively and help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT
1. Call the Police and Get Medical Assistance
Immediately after an accident, if you are able, call the police. Often, the police may be able to find the hit and run perpetrator after reviewing surveillance footage and other sources. Also, be sure to receive treatment for any medical injuries you have suffered.
Learn More: How to File a Crash Report After a Car Accident
2. Take Pictures and Get Witnesses
Though the police may perform an investigation, it never hurts to do some investigative work yourself. Take photos of the accident and see if there were witnesses who saw the accident. If you do find witnesses, be sure to get their names and contact information.
3. Keep Records of Expenses
When you file a personal injury claim, you must show evidence that you suffered an injury. Evidence may include photographs, medical bills, or witness statements. Therefore, archive all of the expenses that have resulted from the accident, such as medical expenses, expenses to repair your damaged motorcycle, and towing expenses.
4. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Though you may not need a lawyer for a personal injury claim stemming from minor car accidents, it would be wise to hire an attorney if you plan to file a claim stemming from a hit and run accident. The experienced motorcycle hit and run attorneys at Zinda Law Group may be able to help.
HOW DOES INSURANCE WORK IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT?
You may be wondering how you can file an insurance claim against the hit and run perpetrator if the perpetrator cannot be identified. Unfortunately, if you are unable to find the perpetrator, you will not be able to file a claim against the perpetrator’s insurance company, depriving you of possible compensation.
However, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurer. In general, if your uninsured motorist coverage will cover hit and run accidents as long as you were not the cause of the crash. In cases where you were the cause of the crash, your insurance company may not cover your medical or property damage.
MAKING A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT CLAIM
1. Call an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Filing a personal injury claim can be physically and mentally taxing. An experienced lawyer may help you make the process of filing a claim less exhausting by taking some of the heaviest responsibilities off your shoulders.
2. Mediation
Once you file a claim with a court, a judge may set a date for a trial, but also order you into mediation in which the parties to try and find a compromise without going to trial.
3. Investigation/Discovery
If mediation fails to achieve an agreement between the parties, your case will move into the discovery or investigative phase. In this stage, collect all of the relevant documents and evidence necessary to file a claim. These include medical bills, witness statements, official reports, employment reports, etc. This stage is also where depositions occur. Depositions are essentially interviews conducted by lawyers with people who have information pertinent to your case.
4. Case Settlement
Case settlement may occur at the mediation phase, but case settlement may also occur during the discovery/investigative stage. If an insurance company sends you an offer, be sure to discuss the offer with your lawyer. Do not simply accept the offer as your lawyer may be able to negotiate with the insurance company for a more favorable offer. Because of the egregious nature of hit and run accidents, you may be entitled to greater compensation from the perpetrator than if the accident was a run-of-the-mill accident.
5. Trial
If after discovery, no settlement is reached, then your case will go to trial. A trial may be either a bench trial or a jury trial. In a bench trial, the judge will hear the evidence, apply the laws applicable in your case, and make a ruling. In jury trials, the judge plays a lesser role. Though the judge will set which laws are applicable, the jury will decide the outcome.
COMPENSATION FROM A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT
You may be entitled to compensation not only for your financial losses, but also for any emotional trauma you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. Types of damages can generally be categorized as economic or non-economic.
Economic losses include the following:
- past and future medical bills
- past and future lost wages
- damaged property
- past and future loss of earning capacity
Non-economic losses include the following:
- past and future emotional anguish
- pain
- loss of enjoyment of activities
In addition to compensation for your economic and non-economic losses, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, which is just another form of payment that you may be entitled to from the perpetrator. However, unlike the compensation given to you for your economic losses and non-economic losses, punitive damages are given not to compensate you for your losses but in order to punish the hit-and-run driver for his or her bad conduct.
You should also be aware that in some states, the comparative fault rule may limit how much compensation a victim may be entitled to. A contributory fault state may entirely bar recovery for victims who were 51% or more at fault for an accident.
However, if the victim is found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, his or her compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault. For instance, if the jury awarded you $100,000 in compensation but also found that you were 50% at fault, then the actual amount of compensation you may be entitled to would be $50,000.
LEGAL TIME LIMITS
Each state has what is called a statute of limitations, or time limit to file a lawsuit. In many states, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date of the injury or accident in order to have a valid lawsuit
CALL THE HIT AND RUN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT ZINDA LAW GROUP
Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are a frequent occurrence, and motorcyclist victims are particularly vulnerable. Our experienced car accident attorneys may help you seek maximum compensation for your case.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a hit-and-run attorney. You will pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win No Fee Guarantee.
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